Explainer: The truth about Mpox and baboon myths

Exactly two weeks ago, Nakuru confirmed its first case of Mpox in a truck driver travelling from Mombasa to Rwanda who tested positive for the disease.

This was the fourth confirmed case in the country. Since then, the total number of confirmed cases has risen to five. 

With these new developments, a lot of different information has been circulating around the disease, with many perpetuating different myths about the cause and transmission of the disease.

When Mtaa Wangu took to the streets of Nakuru on September 4 to ask residents what they knew about Mpox, many had little information.

Some people thought the disease was spread by contact with baboons, others believed it was a lab-created disease and that there was an ongoing vaccination programme to prevent Mpox.

More to the point, those with information about the disease thought its fatality rate would match that of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With all this information circulating among residents, Mtaa Wangu caught up with the County Director of Health Administration and Planning, Dr Joy Mugambi, to help us demystify the myths surrounding Mpox.

According to Dr Mugambi, the Mpox cases recorded in the country and in Nakuru have not been fatal. She notes that with early detection and proper care, people can recover from Mpox symptoms and be well within 4 weeks.

Although the disease is caused by the Mpox virus, Dr Mugambi says its transmission is not limited to primates.

"This is a zoonotic disease and is not exclusive to monkeys. It can also be transmitted through animals such as rodents. The name monkeypox does not suggest a link to monkeys," she says.

She also dismisses the notion that the virus is manufactured in a laboratory, pointing out that Mpox is one of the re-emerging zoonotic diseases that have previously been controlled by vaccines and other preventive measures.

Currently, no one in the country has received the preventive vaccine. He adds that vaccines available in other countries are still in the trial stage.

On the issue of transmission, Dr Mugambi says there are other modalities by which Mpox could be spread from person to person other than sexual transmission. 

"Apart from the exchange of bodily fluids through sexual intercourse, skin-to-skin contact is also a factor in the transmission of Mpox. Not to mention vertical transmission, where a pregnant mother can infect the foetus," she says.

As for how Nakuru residents can protect themselves, Dr Mugambi recommends hand hygiene, limited interaction in crowded places and avoiding skin-to-skin contact.

She also recommends the use of masks when moving around.

In addition, she notes that if you experience any Mpox symptoms such as rash or mucous membrane lesions, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, you should report to the nearest health facility.

Finally, Dr Mugambi urged people to limit direct interaction with the primate family in the national park, noting that since it's a zoonotic disease, it's better to contain it in humans than to transmit it to the wild animals, which are difficult to control.